Guide: A comic book for everyone

Thursday

Feb 7, 2013 at 12:01 AMFeb 7, 2013 at 7:29 PM

The cliché of comic book fans being pimply faced nerds living in their parents' basement is one I'm more than happy to dispel. (For instance, I haven't had acne nor lived with my parents in years. Years!) The fact is, contemporary comic books are as diverse as any medium, ranging from romance to fairy tales, science fiction to magic surrealism. Basically, (to use another cliché) there really is something for everyone. To wit, the following nine choices (capes and cowls, aka superhero comics, have been excluded for general lameness) are presented for your enjoyment.

Justin McIntosh, Columbus Alive

The cliché of comic book fans being pimply faced nerds living in their parents' basement is one I'm more than happy to dispel. (For instance, I haven't had acne nor lived with my parents in years. Years!) The fact is, contemporary comic books are as diverse as any medium, ranging from romance to fairy tales, science fiction to magic surrealism. Basically, (to use another cliché) there really is something for everyone. To wit, the following nine choices (capes and cowls, aka superhero comics, have been excluded for general lameness) are presented for your enjoyment.

If you like: George Orwell's "Animal Farm," and twisted, grown-up takes on fairy tales

Try this: "Fables" by Bill Willingham

Pro tip: This modern take on characters like Snow White and the three blind mice is one that helped turn my wife into a comic book nerd.

If you like: Conspiracy theories involving religious fanatics, Quentin Tarantino and political incorrectness ratcheted up to extreme levels

Try this: "Preacher" by Garth Ennis

Pro tip: This comic is so violent, gruesome and offensive that HBO hasn't even figured out how to film it, though they've tried.

If you like: HBO's TV show "Bored to Death," but wish it had more Charles Bukowski (read: drunks)

Pro tip: Clowes is also responsible for "Ghost World," the comic that inspired the movie that basically gave us ScarJo. The world thanks you, Mr. Clowes.

If you like: "Twilight," but minus all that romance stuff (basically, you just like vampires), and spaghetti Westerns

Try this: "American Vampire" by Scott Snyder

Pro tip: Vampires can actually be, surprise, kind of badass. Plus, Snyder's possibly the most buzzed about new comic book author working today.

If you like: Anime, wine

Try this: "Drops of God" by Tadashi Agi

Pro tip: This manga is basically a Wine 101 course in a Japanese comic book. It tells the story of a man undergoing a rigorous vino education/competition in order to inherit the multi-million dollar wine collection of his famous wine critic father. A fun, easy way to learn more wine while reading comics. Win!